Gossypium arboreum (L.): A review on its agronomic and industrial potential for sustainable cotton production

Gossypium arboreum (L.), an ancient diploid cotton species native to the Indian subcontinent, holds substantial agronomic and industrial value due to its resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses and its potential for sustainable cotton production in the face of climate change. This review synthesizes current research on the agronomic, industrial, biochemical, and pharmacological attributes of G. arboreum, emphasizing its relevance as a resilient and multifunctional crop. Unlike the widely cultivated G. hirsutum, the species is naturally adapted to rainfed and low-input agricultural systems, displaying strong resistance to drought, pests, and major cotton diseases, making it suitable for organic and environmentally sustainable farming. Despite limitations in fiber length and fineness compared to tetraploid species like G. hirsutum, it has industrial applications in absorbent cotton, handlooms, and coarse yarn, and is now gaining recognition in niche markets for its naturally pigmented varieties. Recent breeding programs have aimed to improve its fiber quality while maintaining stress tolerance. G. arboreum also maintains fiber quality under water-deficit conditions, reinforcing its value in stress-prone regions. Unique biochemical features, particularly its GaCYP722C-mediated strigolactone biosynthesis, distinguish it from other Gossypium species, offering novel genetic insights for plant growth regulation and soil symbiosis. Phytochemically, it is rich in flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, which contribute to antidiabetic, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. This pharmacological potential, along with its compatibility with sustainable textile applications, expands its industrial scope. By integrating genetic, agronomic, and phytochemical perspectives, this review identifies G. arboreum as a vital genetic resource for cotton improvement and climate-resilient agriculture.